11 Ups & 6 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jul 2)

Downs...

6. Tuesday Lite Raw

The Raw Lite feel that has consumed parts of SmackDown since the Wild Card Rule came into play remains one of the show's biggest problems, with original writing eschewed for recaps of events that went down just 24 hours prior to go with other needless rehashes.

Last night brought two Raw replays in the first 15 minutes. That's a terrible use of SmackDown's limited TV time, and we didn't need the tiny update on Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley's conditions or the footage of Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre running away from The Undertaker. Later, we got a promo from Lashley, a Raw wrestler, claiming he'd send Brock to the morgue the next time they crossed paths.

How about trimming the fat and letting guys like Buddy Murphy do their thing on TV rather than during the commercials? Why is that too much to ask?

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.